What do the government and the Maoists need to do, to bail the country out of this crisis? First of all, the Maoists have to end their violence and murder, particularly the madness and their attacks on electricity and telecom systems, drinking water, radio and postal infrastructures. Stop hitting basic infrastructures like health posts, bridges, ambulances, VDC buildings and stop looting food being taken to the people. These acts are anti-people and anti-nation. Such activities don't increase popular support for the Maoists. Instead, people will begin to hate them more. Everyone has been appealing for an end to such acts, and we also repeatedly add our voice to the request.

The government also needs to make efforts to find a political solution to the problem. It should be careful not to make anti-constitutional moves that violate human rights. It has to end bad governance, corruption and irresponsibility, and try to win support from all sides to find a resolution. It must be capable of punishing those against whom corruption is alleged, or those who are already tainted. It must be open to take any path that could end the problems facing the country. It needs to be flexible and alert, and willing to make the changes needed, including amending the constitution.

You've even said that you are ready to mediate. What has been the reaction to that? We said that if the circumstances were right, and if we could help by doing so, we were even ready to mediate. We also appealed to the Maoists to help build an environment conducive to talks. We asked them to do two things-call off the five-day Nepal bandh and stop attacking physical infrastructure. They did neither. It is clear that they don't want to come to talks. They are being very unreasonable and uncaring. Evidently, they are unwilling to listen to the wishes and requests of other political parties, the people and members of civil society. Government ministers have also been very irresponsible and gone about saying they don't care about talks, saying there is neither rhyme nor reason in that course of action . We have not given up yet. Instead of losing hope, we are trying to do our bit.